411’s WWE NXT Report 2.3.16

Hey everyone, it’s time for another NXT Report!

We open to a short video package hyping tonight’s main event of Apollo Crews vs. Finn Balor.

The Hype Bros vs. The Vaudevillains

Aiden English is sporting a beard, completing the heel turn. They’re also rocking new red attire. Mojo and Aiden start. Mojo gets two on a rollup and then hits a cross body. HE AINT HYPE. Tag to Ryder who hits a running neck brreaker. He slams English face first on the mat and dropkicks him. He goes for a slam but Simon Gotch breaks it up. He gets hip tossed but it frees up English to turn the tide. The Vaudevillains do the “DUKES UP” double punch. Gotch gets in some vicious clubs to Ryder’s chest. Gotch and English tag in and out quickly to keep the fresh man in while they beat up Ryder. Ryder comes back with an enziguri and makes the mild tag to Mojo. Shoulder blocks galore! Corner splash from Mojo but the second one misses. Ryder tags back in and knocks Enligsh off the apron. He follows with a second rope dropkick on Gotch. Broski Boot misses. Tag to English and they connect on the Whirling Dervish for the 1-2-3.

Winners: The Vaudevillains in 4:07

Really standard stuff here. Nothing to write home about. I don’t get what the plan is for the Vaudevillains though. They’ve gone from heel to face to heel and already had the belts. I don’t know what’s next. **

Footage is shown from the women’s battle royal three weeks ago. Asuka nearly won but Eva Marie tossed her out. Then Carmella dumped her and will now face Bayley for the belt.

This leads into a sitdown interview that Tom Phillips held with Carmella. Carmella says that the win felt incredible. Tom mentions that we’re used to her with Enzo and Cass but she’s now on a journey of her own. She mentions her dad, Paul Van Dale, who was a jobber. She says wrestling is in her blood and that, combined with the opportunity she got from Enzo and Cass, it brought her here. She talks about BayMella and how they will still be friends even after their NXT Women’s Title match next week. Tom brings up her match tonight with Emma. Carmella admits that Emma is good but she’s going to prove that she deserves the spot she’s in.

Alex Reyes is standing by with Dash and Dawson. He brings up Enzo and Cass saying that they owe them a beatdown. Dash says that they talk tough but when they got their shot, they did what they always do and lose. Dawson claims they are on the way to becoming the best NXT Tag Team Champions ever and they’ll be happy to give them another shot.

Carmella vs. Emma w/ Dana Brooke

Emma doesn’t seem to be taking Carmella seriously. She tries to not give a clean break but Carmella ducks a right hand and applies a headlock. Emma shoulder blocks her down but is tripped by Carmella. She follows with a dropkick for two. Emma comes back with a clothesline and some mounted punches. Emma stands on Carmella’s hair and pulls her up. She continues to stretch Carmella in the center of the ring. Emma turns it into a pinning combination for two. Dana Brooke is talking a lot of smack outside. Carmella turns it around and nails a Thez press. She sends Emma into her boot in the corner and ranas her to the opposite side. Staten Island Shuffle and a single bronco buster follow. Emma blocks a submission and delivers shoulder thrusts in the corner. Emma tries a double underhook suplex but Carmella counters into a  backslide for the win.

Winner: Carmella in 4:14

Decent enough. Carmella has shown improvement and Emma is always good. I like that Emma didn’t lose outright as the backslide kind of protected her. **1/4

Last week’s ending is recapped. Sami Zayn is interviewed, saying both he and Samoa Joe have a case, however he thinks he is in better position since he had the Sharpshooter on first. Joe is interviewed but just punks out the interview and makes him leave.

An American Alpha video package airs, set to their theme song.

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. Two Ham and Eggers

Enzo and Cass do their usual promo stuff to start. The jobbers are not introduced beforehand. Enzo and one of them go at it, when Enzo takes him down and walks on his back. He does a little dance, ducks some punches and gets in one of his own. He nails a great knee lift and tags Cass, who throws him into the opponent. Corey Graves calls the jobbers Jamoke one and two. Cass hits a big boot on One and Two runs in, only to get his ass kicked and thrown outside hard. It looked nasty. Cass nails a swinging side slam and does the rocket launcher with Enzo to win.

Winners: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady in 2:25

Fun little squash.

Apollo Crews gets interviewed about the main event and if he’s prepared. He admits to being robbed of his chance at the title and he’s been uncertain ever since but tonight he’s looking to make a statement.

William Regal is in his office to address the controversial finish to last week’s main event. Regal has concluded that there will be a rematch. Baron Corbin interrupts to say that he wants a rematch. Regal says that the only certain thing is that Corbin lost so he doesn’t get to be involved. Corbin calls it a joke and leaves. Samoa Joe vs. Sami Zayn is coming soon and the winner gets a shot at Finn Balor.

Asuka vs. Santana Garrett

Santana is very high on the list of people I think the WWE should absolutely sign. They lock up and Santana gets some forearm shots in. Asuka mostly no sells them and even a headbutt. Santana gets pissed and just slaps her. Santana goes off the ropes but Asuka chases and hits a hip attack. Kicks follow  and both girls duck a shot until Asuka connects on a big right hand. She misses a kick and Santana rolls her up for two, followed by a Russian leg sweep for two again. Santana then applies a unique submission. It’s hard to describe. Asuka counters into an ankle lock but Santana elbows out. She runs off the ropes but Asuka catches her in an armbar. Santana fights out, rolling away only to en up in the Asuka Lock.

Winner: Asuka in 2:23

Another fun squash match. Sign Santana now please.

Finn Balor is interviewed about the Triple Threat match last week. Finn says that he’s glad things will be handled in the ring between Joe and Zayn. He then talks about tonight, saying Apollo is really good, but he’s better.

Non-Title Match: Apollo Crews vs. Finn Balor

Code of Honor follows at the bell. Finn takes him over and works the arm. Finn has some new trunks that say his name three times on his buttcheek and knee pad. They continue to work some basic WREEESTLIIIING! Finn works a headlock that Apollo can’t break free from. He finally does, only to get taken back down by it again. He gets out, drops down and connects on a dropkick that sends Finn outside to regroup heading into a commercial break. Returning, Apollo now has a chinlock applied. Finn tries to fight out but gets clubbed in the back. Sunset flip attempt from Crews and Balor pops out with a dropkick. He goes back to work on the arm of Apollo. We get a clean break as Apollo gets out until Finn lays in a quick series of strikes. A big kick to the chest gets him two. Things are starting to pick up. Finn lays into Apollo with chops before going back to the left arm. Apollo gets to his feet but runs into Finn’s boots. he reels off clotheslines and a corner splash. He charges in again but Finn leaps over and onto the apron. Apollo knocks him down and tries a moonsault from the apron. Finn slides in to avoid it and then dives out with his own front flip. He looks for the Coup de Grace, hitting it on the back of Crews’ head for two. Finn lifts him but gets taken down and then hits a Samoan drop for two. Crews misses an enziguri so Finn hits slingblade. He then runs into a big boot and Crews press slams him, followed by the moonsault for a close near fall. Crews tries the toss powerbomb but Finn slips free. Enziguri and slingblade hit before the running dropkick. Balor goes up and scores with the Coup de Grace. Apollo is slightly getting up so he hits Bloody Sunday and ends it.

Winner: Finn Balor in 11:29

About on par with their last match. Really solid stuff. Crews looked strong in defeat, going toe to toe with the NXT Champion in one hell of a competitive bout. ***1/2

Both men get a standing ovation and shake hands. Crews leaves to allow Finn the time to celebrate.